Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
If you’re looking for a cookie that’s irresistibly rich, chewy, and loaded with chocolatey goodness, these Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies are about to become your new go-to treat. Imagine the perfect balance of creamy peanut butter and deep cocoa, studded with melty chocolate chips in every bite. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply craving a sweet pick-me-up, these cookies come together easily and deliver big on comfort and nostalgia. Get ready to wow your friends and family with a batch of homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies that no one will be able to resist!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of these cookies is in their simplicity: every ingredient works hard to bring out the best flavor, texture, and aroma. From the richness of peanut butter to the indulgence of chocolate chips, each component has a starring role in making these Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies unforgettable.
- Creamy peanut butter: The heart of the cookie, providing a smooth, nutty flavor and chewy texture.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Adds richness and helps create that soft, tender crumb.
- Granulated sugar: Gives sweetness and contributes to the cookies’ crisp edges.
- Packed brown sugar: Brings moisture and a hint of caramel flavor.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and add structure for a perfect bite.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors and adds a warm, inviting aroma.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation that holds the cookies together.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Delivers that deep, chocolatey base everyone craves.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise and become wonderfully fluffy.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and deepens all the flavors.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melty pockets of chocolate that take every bite over the top.
How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheets
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to keep your cookies from sticking and for easy cleanup later. This small step sets you up for flawless, bakery-style cookies every time.
Step 2: Cream the Butters and Sugars
In a large bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter, softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and packed brown sugar. Beat them together until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This is the secret to cookies that are soft in the center but have just the right amount of snap on the edges.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract, which will instantly make your kitchen smell like a dream and lay the foundation for those classic Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies flavors.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Mixing the dry ingredients first ensures the cocoa and leavening agent are evenly distributed, so every cookie bakes up perfectly.
Step 5: Bring Wet and Dry Mixtures Together
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Overmixing can make your cookies tough, so stop as soon as you no longer see streaks of flour. This step is where the cookie dough magic really starts to happen!
Step 6: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips, making sure they’re evenly spread throughout the dough. Every scoop should have a generous dose of chocolate in it, ensuring each bite is decadent and satisfying.
Step 7: Scoop and Space
Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop dough in rounded tablespoons onto your prepared baking sheets. Leave about 2 inches between each cookie to give them room to spread. If you want to make them extra pretty, press a few extra chocolate or peanut butter chips on top before baking.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, just until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool, so don’t worry if they seem a little underbaked at first—that’s the secret to their chewy texture!
Step 9: Cooling Time
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This patience pays off with cookies that hold their shape and have the perfect texture.
How to Serve Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
Garnishes
To make your Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies extra special, try adding a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top right after they come out of the oven. It enhances the chocolate and peanut butter flavors and adds an irresistible gourmet touch. You can also drizzle a little melted chocolate or a dusting of powdered sugar for a festive look.
Side Dishes
These cookies are a dream paired with an ice-cold glass of milk, hot coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For a fun twist, serve them alongside a bowl of fresh berries or a creamy fruit dip. The rich flavors of the cookies pair beautifully with lighter, refreshing sides.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, stack the cookies in a tall glass jar or arrange them in a circle on a pretty platter. You can also sandwich a scoop of ice cream between two Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies for a homemade ice cream sandwich, or crumble them over a sundae for the ultimate dessert topping.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to five days—if they last that long!
Freezing
These cookies freeze beautifully. Simply place cooled cookies in a freezer-safe bag or container, separating layers with parchment paper. They’ll keep for up to two months, ready to thaw whenever a chocolate craving strikes. You can also freeze the unbaked dough balls and bake straight from the freezer.
Reheating
To recapture that “just-baked” magic, pop a cookie in the microwave for about 10 seconds. It will soften up and the chocolate chips will get gooey again, just like fresh from the oven.
FAQs
Can I use chunky peanut butter instead of creamy?
Absolutely! Chunky peanut butter will add extra crunch and texture to your Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies. Just be aware that the dough may be a little thicker, so you might need to flatten the cookies slightly before baking.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
The cookies are ready when the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft. They’ll continue to cook as they cool on the sheet, so don’t overbake—this keeps them perfectly chewy!
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour. Just be sure to use a blend that includes xanthan gum or a similar binder for best results.
What kind of cocoa powder should I use?
Unsweetened natural cocoa powder works great in this recipe and gives a classic, rich flavor. If you want an even deeper chocolate taste, you can try Dutch-processed cocoa, but it might result in a slightly different texture.
Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?
Definitely! Chopped peanuts, walnuts, or even peanut butter chips all make delicious additions to your Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies. Just keep the total amount of mix-ins to about 1 1/2 cups so the cookies hold together well.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, and these Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies truly capture that magic in every bite. I hope you give this recipe a try and share it with the people you love—because nothing brings smiles faster than a plate of warm, homemade cookies!
Print
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies combine the rich, creamy flavor of peanut butter with the deep, indulgent taste of cocoa and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Soft and chewy with just the right balance of sweetness and texture, these cookies are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth with a homemade touch.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Add-Ins
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the peanut butter, softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract for enhanced flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet peanut butter mixture, mixing just until all ingredients are combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the semi-sweet chocolate chips into the cookie dough to evenly distribute them throughout.
- Scoop Dough onto Baking Sheets: Using a tablespoon-sized scoop, drop the dough portions onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers remain slightly soft to maintain a chewy texture.
- Cool Cookies: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they firm up without becoming hard.
Notes
- For extra peanut butter flavor and a decorative touch, press a few peanut butter chips on top of each cookie dough ball before baking.
- Store finished cookies in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them fresh for up to 5 days.
- The cookie dough can be frozen; shape into dough balls and freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for baking fresh cookies later.
- Do not overbake to preserve the chewy texture; cookie edges should be set but centers slightly soft.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 125 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
